Disclaimer: The awesome Rumiko Takahashi owns all rights to Ranma and Co. I am merely borrowing them for this crazy idea!

Notes: Okay, this is my first try at an alternative universe fic. As usual it's pro Ranma and Akane. I'm going to let you guys decide if I keep it going or not, as I'm not sure if there is any sort of interest in this sort of story. That said, another BIG thanks goes out to Angela Jewell! As always she sees the errors of my ways and pushes me back in the right direction. Without her I'd be lost!

And now on with it...

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"Who is she?"

Ranma sat mesmerized in the darkened club unable to take his eyes off the beautiful woman singing onstage, as her sultry voice reverberated over the din. He closed his eyes and let it wash over him, cherishing the warm feeling it gave him.

Her voice was so hauntingly beautiful he'd never heard anything like it.

"You like that do you?"

Ranma was shaken out of his reverie by the sound of Ryoga's voice beside him.

"Who is she?" he asked again, ignoring the question.

"Her name is Akane, Akane Tendo."

"She's beautiful." His voice was wistful, holding a longing that was unmistakable.

Ryoga smiled at his friend's lustful stare. Ranma was forever the romantic, a fact that, considering his true nature, got him into trouble more often than not. He clamped a firm hand on his friend's shoulder, leaned in and whispered.

"You want her? Go take her."

Ranma closed his eyes again, trying to shake off the words. Ryoga was always doing this. Trying to bring out his true nature, trying to show him it was he, Ranma, who set the rules should he so choose. A nature Ranma spent almost every waking hour trying to resist despite the fact that it made his life a living hell. But it was his choice, a decision he had made long ago. He took a deep breath, trying to get a hold of his shaky emotions.

"You know you want to," Ryoga urged, his voice almost smug in his assertion.

Ranma turned to glare at his friend, abruptly shrugging out of his grasp.

Ryoga put his hands up in mock retreat. He watched as Ranma's gaze traveled back to stare longingly at Akane. He shook his head. He could see he would have to intervene on his friend's behalf. Ranma wouldn't like it, but Ryoga had long ago discovered it was for his own good.

"If you don't take her I will."

The words made Ranma's head snap around, his eyes flaring a bright red for just an instant before he pulled himself back under control. Ryoga simply smiled.

"That's it Ranma," he goaded. "Don't hold back."

Ranma glanced quickly around the room to see if any of the other patrons had noticed the exchange. Thankfully all were too taken with Akane to pay much attention.

Slowly Ranma unclenched his fists and let out a long breath. He had been through this kind of thing with Ryoga before, more often than not lately. It seemed as if Ryoga wouldn't rest until he'd made sure Ranma didn't forget who or what he was. As if that were even possible.

"Don't you touch her." His voice was low, deadly.

Ryoga's smile broadened. It looked like his plan was working. Ranma needed some shaking up. He'd withdrawn into his own misery for so long now it was starting to wear incredibly thin. Akane Tendo may be just what his friend needed, and Ryoga wasn't about to let that opportunity slip by.

"And what will you do if I decide I want her?"

Ranma grit his teeth in frustration. "Don't push me on this Ryoga," he warned.

Ryoga's smile grew as he leaned in. "Look at her Ranma," he breathed. "Who could resist that?"

Ranma's eyes traveled back to Akane. Her short dark hair curling softly around her delicate ears, her slender arms snaked around her acoustic guitar, her soulful words reaching inside him, filling the empty space that resided there.

He felt his heightened senses tingle. His breath quickened. It took all he had not to send her all that he was feeling. With great resistance and much reluctance he pulled himself back, his breathing slightly labored with the effort.

Ryoga noticed this with much amusement. He hadn't seen his friend react so strongly to a woman in centuries. He realized he wouldn't have to push him very hard to get the reaction he wanted, and what he wanted was Ranma's utter domination of Miss Akane Tendo.

"She must taste like pure heaven," he whispered. "Don't you want to find out?"

Find out? Ranma thought. That's all he wanted to do and Ryoga knew it. Thankfully he was saved from having to answer by the round of applause as Akane finished her set.

He watched as she thanked the crowd and descended lithely down the stairs. She headed toward the bar, handing her guitar over to the bartender to store for her.

Ranma watched mesmerized by the smile that lit her face as she talked easily with the bartender, her head tilting to one side as she gave a little laugh at something he said. Again he closed his eyes, a surge of overwhelming lust overtaking his senses. He felt himself losing control as some of it escaped and was sent hurtling toward her.

Ryoga watched astounded as she gave a startled jump and looked around, her breath catching, her face slightly flushed. No matter how many times he'd seen Ranma perform this little trick it never failed to amaze him. He took the power of mesmerism to new heights, was able to extract the essence of a subject by just thinking about it. He could send a girl such a force of pleasure that they were helpless to do anything but respond to it. It took an amazing amount of concentration and control. Only a few vampires exhibited the kind of power Ranma was able to harness.

Ryoga looked back at his friend and noticed his eyes were still closed as he struggled to pull the remaining emotions back into himself.

Reaching into his pocket Ranma pulled out the small straight razor he always carried. Placing it on the tip of his thumb he dragged it across the taut skin, immediately blood began to flow. He quickly brought it to his lips and drank deeply; tasting the part of her he was able to touch.

A feeling that was almost euphoric came over him as he was able to appease some of the lust coursing through him, of course tasting even the most remote part of her only left him wanting more.

"You need to teach me that trick sometime," Ryoga said smiling, a devilish twinkle in his eye.

Slowly Ranma opened his eyes, his breathing somewhat more controlled as he was finally able to stifle the rampaging urges that were trying so desperately to break free.

"So, was she as good as she looks?"

Ranma said nothing, eyeing his friend with a look that said he was not amused. He was disgusted with himself for losing control like that. It was not like him and he was bound and determined that it not happen again. No matter how much he wanted her.

"By the look on your face I'd say she was pretty damn good," Ryoga commented. "And judging by her reaction I'd say you gave her quite a jolt." This last made Ranma look away in disgrace.

"Like I said, you really have to teach me that trick sometime."

Ranma sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly, garnering that much concentration always left him exhausted. He couldn't remember wanting a woman with such force for a very long time. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to resist, and he had a feeling Ryoga wouldn't give him the chance to.

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Akane felt the jolt of pleasure hit her out of no where. She gasped, her breath catching with the suddenness and ferocity of it. Quickly she looked around confused and bewildered. Where had it come from? It was almost as if she'd felt a stranger inside her. Just as quickly she felt it subsiding, pulling some part of her as it went. It left her feeling dizzy and weak. Slowly she sank down onto the barstool, trying to regain some sort of composure.

"Hey, you okay?" Mousse, the bartender asked, concern in his eyes.

"Huh?" Akane replied, her breath still shaky. She shook her head as if to clear it. "I'm okay, just got a bit dizzy there for a second."

"You work too hard Akane," Mousse said, setting a glass of water in front of her. She took a long sip, welcoming the coolness of it as it helped to clear her head.

"Maybe you're right," she said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She couldn't help wonder again where the feeling had come from.

It was like nothing she'd felt before. Certainly not from any lover she'd ever had. It was as if all her nerve endings had suddenly been electrified. Her senses heightened to the verge of breaking her. It had taken all her control not to cry out with the intensity of it. The experience had left her feeling terrified, yet part of her couldn't help wanting to feel even more of it.

What had it been exactly, and more importantly would it come back?

"Kuno still giving you trouble?" Mousse's question forced Akane out of her thoughts.

Kuno… ah yes, Tatewaki Kuno… her ex-fiancée.

Akane grimaced at the thought of him. A man who didn't---wouldn't---accept the fact that their relationship was over. She wasn't even sure why she'd agreed to his proposal in the first place. She supposed loneliness had played a key part, ever since she'd lost her father the year before in a training accident.

After her father's untimely death Akane found her passion for martial arts had waned. It wasn't the same now that she couldn't share it with him, and being at the dojo was just too hard, his memory too strong.

She had needed to get away, so she had left everything behind, including her sisters, both of whom had their own lives to live now. It wasn't that she didn't love them dearly, but she realized leaving was something she needed to do, a final act of self-preservation, a way to find herself again. At least it had been what she had hoped to do.

Akane sighed, pushing the thoughts away. "Trouble would be an understatement."

"You gotta watch yourself there," Mousse said with noticeable concern. "He's dangerous."

"Yeah, I got that part," Akane replied with obvious distaste.

Kuno had warned her often enough what he had planned for her if she didn't come back to him. But she would be damned if she was going to let him scare her into having a relationship with him. She was tired of him telling her what to do, what to feel. As far as she was concerned he could just drop dead.

"I mean it Akane. That guy is crazy."

Akane gave him a soft smile. "Thanks Mousse," she told him, the appreciation evident in her voice. "I always wanted a big brother."

Mousse returned her smile with one of his own.

"Anytime," he replied, giving her a quick wink as he walked to the other end of the bar to tend to another customer.

"I ordered a gin and tonic on the rocks, not a vodka tonic," The customer was saying. "What are you blind or something?"

Akane couldn't help but smile at this, as she watched Mousse deftly pull his glasses from the top of his head and put them on. He really couldn't see a thing without them, poor guy.

Akane took another sip of her water, as she let her mind drift back to that unexpected jolt of pleasure. She wondered again where it had come from. What was going on? Was she losing her mind?

Akane gave a tired sigh, hoping that this wasn't the case. Maybe Mousse was right, maybe she was simply working too hard.

Unbeknownst to her this was merely the beginning, as she was about to come face to face with something far more unbelievable.

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Ranma watched her slump onto the barstool as if her legs could no longer hold her. What had escaped was so miniscule and yet it had nearly leveled her. Of course she hadn't been expecting it either.

Her taste had been exquisite. It left him wanting more. She was vintage, pure compassion and light---yet strong, a fighter, with just a hint of sadness underneath. It intrigued him. He suspected if he got a bigger taste of her it would probably be the end of him. He knew he shouldn't indulge in this risky game. Not only was it dangerous for her, it would only cause him pain in the end.

"So…" Ryoga piped up beside him. "Now that you've had a taste of her I assume you've changed your mind about a little indulgence?"

Ranma's glance slid sideways, he gave Ryoga a reserved look. "I don't remember saying that."

"I see. She's fair game then?" Ryoga asked with amusement.

"I don't remember saying that either."

"Well, what are you saying Ranma?" Ryoga asked, raising his eyebrows inquisitively.

"I'm saying leave me alone Ryoga."

"Now where would be the fun in that?" Ryoga replied, his voice full of mirth.

Ranma gave him a cold stare. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

Ranma watched as Ryoga's gaze slid toward Akane. The implication was clear. Ryoga wasn't about to let this go. He had targeted Akane, and seeing Ranma's reaction to her had decided to hand her over if his friend so wished, but if not...

"You planned this all along." Ranma stated simply.

Ryoga gave him a wry smile. "I wanted to see what you would do," he admitted. "When I first saw her a few nights ago I thought your reaction to her would be strong. However, you surprised even me."

Ranma stared blankly at his friend. "And you thought I needed this?"

Ryoga let out a tired sigh. "You, my friend, were becoming entirely too morose. And if you didn't have the reaction I expected, well…the more for me."

Ranma bit back the swell of anger that was building inside of him. It was just like Ryoga to pull something like this.

As of late Ranma had been diligent in resisting his vampire urges, much to Ryoga's dismay. Instead he had locked himself inside his own misery, determined not to be the cause of anyone else's destruction or pain. A sorry life for a vampire to lead, one he felt he deserved for all the suffering he had caused in the past. He'd been punishing himself, and Ryoga, tired of the spectacle, had placed Akane directly in his path.

"And just what do you expect me to do?" he asked as Ryoga stood up. "Approach her, seduce her…" he paused, his voice dropping. "…destroy her?"

Turning slightly, Ryoga bent over, placing one hand on the table and one on the back of Ranma's chair. Leaning closer, he whispered so only Ranma could hear: "I expect you to do what it is in your nature to do." With that he abruptly turned and walked away.

Ranma watched him go with trepidation. He knew Ryoga meant business. Ranma now had no choice but to enter Akane Tendo's life, if nothing other than to save her from Ryoga.

One question then remained, who would save her from himself?

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Okay, so whaddya think? Shall I keep going??